Why Ammonia Is More Horror Than Help

We all know about spring-cleaning, but what about fall cleaning? If it’s been six months since your last cleaning, then your home is in need of some care! But unlike your seasonal festivities, cleaning should not be a scary task. For many of us, cleaning is a form of self-care and a way we express our love and concern for others—often our own families. Unfortunately, some of the same ingredients that are commonly used in cleaners are dangerous for our families and pets. Too often the cleaning we do to improve our mental health can put our physical health at risk and turn our beloved fall abodes into haunted grounds. And one of the scariest threats lurking in many national brand cleaners is ammonia.

What Is Ammonia?

Ammonia is an inorganic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. It is put into solution with water to become ammonium hydroxide. In this form, it is often used in household cleaners because it’s effective at breaking down grime, stains, and oils. It has been used in kitchen and bathroom surface cleaners for decades, and in high concentrations it can also be used as a disinfectant. It is most commonly found in glass cleaners because of its ability to dry quickly without leaving ghostly streaks.

Dangers of Ammonia

Ammonia’s effectiveness comes with a pretty scary cost. It is a caustic chemical that can irritate and burn your skin and eyes, and it’s dangerous to inhale. The most common symptoms of ammonia inhalation are a burning of the nose, throat, or respiratory tract. It is highly recommended that ammonia only be used in a well-ventilated area while wearing gloves, and you should avoid touching your skin, eyes, or mouth while you are cleaning—sounds more like a witch’s brew than a household cleaner!

And people aren’t the only ones at risk from ammonia. If pets inhale or ingest ammonia, it can cause severe damage to their respiratory system, eyes, and stomach.

Not a Good Potions Ingredient

As if that isn’t frightening enough, ammonia becomes even more dangerous when it is mixed with other cleaners. Rather than boosting their cleaning power, it often just makes them more toxic. For example, if ammonia is mixed with a cleaner that contains chlorine bleach, it can create chloramine gas, which can damage the eyes, nose, and throat, and can even be deadly. Keep ammonia far from your potions cabinet!

Left Breathless!

It is no wonder that a 20-year longitudinal study made a chilling discovery: the toxic chemicals in national brand home cleaners are as damaging to lung capacity as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years! And the effects are even more pronounced in women.

A Haunting Environmental Impact

The dangers of ammonia don’t go away when it leaves your home. Research shows that ammonia-based cleaning products can have adverse effects on the environment. When ammonia enters waterways, it contributes to water pollution and can even harm aquatic life.

An Enchanting Solution

It is possible to enjoy sparkling, streak-free glass and stainless steel without compromising the safety of your family, pets, and the environment. Clear Power^® 12x Glass Cleaner delivers unmatched results in a formula that features 99% biodegradable ingredients and is powered by plant-derived cleaning agents instead of ammonia!

Clean without Compromise

Clear Power is just one way that EcoSense^® lets you enjoy the clean you love without the risks associated with ammonia or other caustic chemicals. And you never have to worry about harsh fumes, harmful residues, or other forms of hocus-pocus. Whether for Halloween hijinks or just old-fashioned harvesttime fun, trust EcoSense products to make your home eerily clean. After all, a haunted house can still be a clean house!